New Fall Classes!

I know many of you have taken the class, The Simply Organized Home, over the years. It has been a keystone of what I teach and you’re able to see for yourself that living a simpler, less cluttered life is possible. This class is always being revised and this year it’s better than ever! I encourage you to please spread the word and consider taking this class again with friends or family members!

We’ve also got two other classes that are perfect to get you prepped for the upcoming holiday season – Entertain with Ease and Simplifying the Holidays.

Don’t wait – we’ve still got spots left. Register Today!

Favorite Back to School Ideas

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“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity they think of you.”
~H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Hard to believe another school year is already underway.  My kids are grown and gone now but since I’m married to a school administrator, the school calendar still matters to me!

Here are a few of my favorite back to school ideas I found most helpful while raising my sons.

  1. Use a single, great calendar system for keeping track of all of your family activities.  Your phone might do the trick or you may still prefer a paper planner.  Either way, choose a system that works for you and learn to use it well!
  2. Clean up and clear out kids rooms including clothing, books, toys and electronics early on in the school year (do this with your kids if possible). We all function better in simple, less cluttered spaces.
  3. Plan simple, healthy meals based on your families schedule.  Learn more about how I do this in my new fall class Entertain with Ease.
  4. Do what you can ahead of time.  Pack lunches the night before, place all necessary items in backpacks and gather sports gear. Mornings will be oh so much nicer!
  5. Give kids responsibility early.  Responsible kids are made, not born!  Remember in a few short years your son or daughter will be someone’s roommate or spouse…will they make a good one??

Want more ideas? Our fall classes will help you get ready for the busy school year ahead and the holidays! Click HERE to learn more about the classes and to sign up!

Would you love some help getting organized now that the kids are back in school?  This week is totally booked but contact Organized at Last for openings next week!

Fashion In a Heat Wave

About 13 years ago I purchased this little brown dress on clearance for $19.00 at Lucy.  I’m pretty sure it is my favorite item of clothing I have ever owned.  I still wear it at least once a week and I still love it as much as the day I bought it.  It’s simple, machine washable, cool on these hot summer days, can be dressed up or down and is perfect for travel because it doesn’t wrinkle.

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A few days ago I thought how much I would love to own another one like it. I didn’t have time to go shopping so instead I jumped online and searched for “best summer dresses”.  What came up was Walmart and a bunch of cute, really inexpensive dresses.  For those of you who know me, I could care less about labels, name brands or even the latest “style”. I do however love simple dresses because they represent everything I embrace.  They are feminine, easy to throw on, cool, and wash and wear (I hate to iron).  I have only been to Walmart once in the past 10 years but I decided to order a few dresses (5 to be exact).  The total was about $50.00.  Here are some photos of what I ended up with.

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Under this short striped dress I wore a pair of little shorts.

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My sister Mary also decided to order a few dresses. Each one was under $10.

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If this Washington heat wave continues..and it will…I’m ready!  What is your favorite summertime style?

Why Hiring a Professional Organizer Is a Good Idea

It seems to me that a lot of people struggle with organizing, yet many more never realize that help is available. We hire a mechanic to fix our car, a contractor to repair our home,  so it makes perfect sense to hire an organizer to help make sense of our stuff.

Our job is to make your life function more smoothly by eliminating the unnecessary and making room for what really matters. We guide you in the process of creating a simple, functional and beautiful space that works for how you and your family live.

January is a National Get Organized month. Why not commit to making this year one in which you make a difference by creating order amongst the chaos. Make changes in your life that allow you to focus on things that are important to you. By getting organized you create more time to work on things like exercise, eating well and building stronger relationships. Because, in the end, these are things that matter most.

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Here’s an example of what we can do for you. In just a couple of hours we can help you transform your space.

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Make 2015 your year to refresh, restyle, and re-organize. Join us this January for our re-vamped Simply Organized Home Class. Registration is limited to ten people so sign up soon!

“Organization isn’t about perfection; it’s about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter, saving time and money, and improving your overall quality of life.” – Christina Scalise

And the Winner Is…

The winner of the 2014 One Room Organizing Giveaway is…Cheri Mead!

Congratulations! We look forward to working with you.

Thank you to everyone who entered and stay tuned for future contests!

We wish you all the best in 2015!

Hooray For the Holidays

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The team at Organized at Last (Julie, Becca and Sasha) are about to launch an exciting 30 days of Simpler Holidays. This will be a compilation of some of our favorite tips and tricks for creating a beautiful, simple and peaceful holiday season.

We all share a passion for creating emptier, fuller, and more beautiful lives. Together we are excited to teach you to do the same. If life is overwhelming, or time doesn’t allow you to implement some of these ideas, then we are happy to come to your home or office space and help you create the holiday atmosphere that you have always dreamed of. You will find a new post on Facebook and Instagram 6 days/week (no Sunday posts and no posts over Thanksgiving weekend). We hope you’ll join us on this 30 day journey and pursue only those things that matter most to you and your family. Intentional living = happier home.

We welcome your feedback and ideas. Enjoy, and may you be especially blessed this holiday season!